Happy New Year, you guys! In this video I’m breaking down my 2025 content creator must-haves—basically the essentials I’d recommend if you’re trying to be successful on YouTube this year. I start with camera gear and share my real journey: I began on my phone, moved to a webcam, then my Canon G7X Mark II (she lasted me over five years, but she’s officially not powering on anymore). Now I’m vlogging on my Sony ZV-E10 because the quality is so good, it records in 4K, and I love that I can switch lenses. I also mention the Osmo Pocket 3 as a super compact option if you don’t want to carry a bigger camera around. Then we get into the stuff that really makes your videos look and feel better: lighting, editing, music, plugins, thumbnails, audio, and SD cards. Natural light is amazing if you have a window, but my ring light is honestly enough to level up your setup (and you can adjust white vs yellow tones). For editing, I talk iMovie, CapCut (free and beginner-friendly), and Final Cut Pro (my go-to). I also share how I handle royalty-free music, where I grab plugins, and the apps I use for thumbnails. My biggest takeaway: the hardest part is starting—once you start, stay consistent and stick to what you actually like to film.